Speaking Verse and Prose

For creative individuals who want to develop their memory skills and build a strong speaking voice.
A LAMDA learner taking an exam

About the Speaking Verse and Prose exam

Our Speaking Verse and Prose learners develop a whole host of skills, from speaking clearly and using voice projection, to improving memorisation and building an understanding of poetry and prose which supports studies in English literature. 

As learners progress through the levels they interact with the texts, responding to them with imagination and using body language and expression to engage an audience.  

Learners working towards their Level Three grades are delving into sonnets, exploring the life and work of William Shakespeare and discussing his influence, as well as discovering the other writers whose works they are performing. 

Teaching the Speaking Verse and Prose exam

Find Teacher Support Materials for this examination on our Download Centre.

LAMDA is recognised to award qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales (QiW), and in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). 

All Speaking Verse and Prose exams are available online. Find out how to book here

What does the exam involve? 

Type of exam: Solo 

Time allowance: 10 minutes

Performing two verses from memory

Answer questions related to the performance. Please see the LAMDA Communication Graded Examinations Syllabus (2019).

Type of exam: Solo 

Time allowance: 10 minutes

Performing two verses from memory

Answer questions about the performance. Please see the LAMDA Communication Graded Examinations Syllabus (2019) for full details.

Type of exam: Solo 

Time allowance: 15 minutes 

  • Performing one piece of verse and one piece of prose from memory
  • Answering questions related to their performances

Please see the syllabus for full details.

Type of exam: Solo 

Time allowance: Grade 4: 15 minutes, Grade 5: 20 minutes

  • Performing one piece of verse and one piece of prose from memory
  • Reading at sight a previously unseen text
  • Answering questions related to their performances

Please see the syllabus for full details.

Type of exam: Solo 

Time allowance: 20 minutes 

Performing: 

  • One piece of verse and one piece of prose
  • Sight-reading a text

Answering questions about: 

  • Techniques in their performance for breathing, voice, and basic speech production

Please see the LAMDA Communication Graded Examinations Syllabus (2019). 

Type of exam: Solo 

Time allowance: Grade 7: 25 mins. Grade 8: 30 mins.

  • One piece of verse and one piece of prose
  • Sight-reading a text
  • One sonnet (non-Shakespeare at Grade 7 and Shakespeare at Grade 8)
  • Answering questions related to their performances.

Please see the LAMDA Communication Graded Examinations Syllabus (2019). 

Requirements

Full details of the requirements, assessment criteria and regulations for each grade can be found in the LAMDA Communication Graded Examinations Syllabus. 

Resources & Teaching Materials

How to find the set pieces for each exam

The list of set pieces for each Exam can be found in the corresponding syllabi for each exam. You can download the syllabi as a free pdf via our Download Centre or visit our online shop.

We are unable to verify the suitability of own choice pieces, please refer to the Exam Content and Assessment and Grading Criteria detailed for the exam subject and grade entered.

View Download Centre

What syllabi will I need for this exam?

All our syllabi listed below are available for free via download, or you can purchase our full range of publications from our online shop.

You will need: 

  • Communication Syllabus from August 2019
  • Verse and Prose Anthology Volume 19  

These might also be useful:

  • Teacher support material, available via the Download Centre
  • Knowledge Matters Volume 3 
  • Verse and Prose Anthology Volume 18

Download the syllabus   Visit the online shop